What are the different types of seizures?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Seizures are classified into two main types: focal seizures and generalized seizures. Focal seizures begin in one area of the brain, while generalized seizures involve both hemispheres from the start. Each category includes several subtypes, such as focal aware, focal impaired awareness, tonic-clonic, absence, myoclonic, and atonic seizures, which affect movement, awareness, and sensation in distinct ways.

Understanding which type of seizure you or a loved one may be experiencing is a critical first step toward effective treatment. Because symptoms can vary widely and overlap with other conditions, getting clarity early matters. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be going on and confidently navigate your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what seizure type you may have Discover if your symptoms could be seizures See how serious these episodes might be Find OTC options for seizure-related symptoms Find a neurologist for seizure evaluation Explore medically valid home remedies for seizures Understand if these spells need urgent care

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Explanation

Seizures are categorized based on where they start in the brain and how they affect the body:

Focal (Partial) Seizures – Start in one area of the brain: Focal Aware Seizures: The person stays conscious but may have strange sensations, emotions, or movements (previously called "simple partial seizures"). Focal Impaired Awareness Seizures: The person may seem confused, dazed, or unresponsive (previously "complex partial seizures").
Generalized Seizures – Involve both sides of the brain: Tonic-Clonic Seizures: Cause stiffening (tonic) and jerking (clonic) of muscles, often with loss of consciousness. Absence Seizures: Brief periods of staring or "zoning out," mostly seen in children. Myoclonic Seizures: Sudden, quick muscle jerks without loss of awareness. Atonic Seizures: Sudden loss of muscle tone, causing the person to go limp or fall. Tonic Seizures: Sudden muscle stiffening, often causing falls. Clonic Seizures: Repeated rhythmic jerking of muscles, typically in the arms or legs.

If you're experiencing any unusual symptoms or episodes, take Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine whether you should seek medical attention. Doctors may use EEGs, brain imaging, and medical history to determine the seizure type, which is essential for choosing the right treatment.

(References)

Fisher RS, Cross JH, French JA, Higurashi N, Hirsch E, Jansen FE, et al. (2017). Operational classification of seizure types by the .... Epilepsia, 28276060.
Fisher RS, Cross JH, D'Souza C, French JA, Haut SR, Higurashi N, et al. (2017). Instruction manual for the ILAE 2017 operational .... Epilepsia, 28276064.
Pack AM. (2019). Epilepsy Overview and Revised Classification of Seizures .... Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.), 30921011.

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